CHAPTER 3: The Filipino Way
A nation empowers itself depending on the belief’s goals,
ideal, aspirations, and values of its citizens. In order to achieve
national unity and progress, it needs the full cooperation of its
people. Values as a people and as a nation gives the identity that
differentiates one race from the others. These values may improve
or hinder development and progress but nonetheless, with unity of
diversity, development and progress are achievable.
Every country has its differing values and stereotypes, and the
Philippines is no exception
We Filipinos firmly believe that our country has the best values in
the world.
Filipino value system or Filipino values refers to the set of values or
the value system that a majority of the Filipino have historically held
important in their lives. This Philippines value system includes their
own unique assemblage of consistent ideologies, moral codes,
ethical practices, etiquette and cultural and personal values that are
promoted by their society.
MODELS OF THE FILIPINO VALUES (F. Landa Jocano)
 Exogenous model (Foreign model)
– described to be a “legal and formal model”.
 Indigenous model (Traditional Model)
– described as traditional and non-formal
model” and deeply embedded in the
subconscious of the Filipinos.
Elements and composition of Filipino values
 Surface Values – values readily seen and
observed, values exhibited and esteemed by
every Filipinos.
- propriety/dignity (hiya)
- companionship/esteem (pakikisama)
- gratitude/
 Core Values – surface values are considered
branches from a single origin- the actual core
value of the Filipino personality – “KAPWA”
Kapwa means “togetherness” and refers to community,
or not doing things alone.
Categories of Kapwa
• 1. Ibang tao (other people)
• 2. Hindi ibang tao (not other people)
POSITIVE TRAITS/STRENGTHS
1. Hospitality
- the Filipino community are very warm and
hospitable. They even give “pasalubong” (welcome
gifts) and “pabaon” (farewell gifts) to guests.
2. Respect
- the use of po and opo in conversing with older
people.
3. Strong family ties/family orientation
– results to the family still being intact
regardless that the children are old and with families of
their own.
4. Generosity and Helpfulness
- filipinos are generous people. Even when we
have very little, we always share with those around us.
5. Strong work ethic
- filipinos are hardworking people. They always
find creative ways to earn a living.
6. Love and Caring
- Filipinos are sweet and most loving people in
the world.
7. Strong faith in God
- their faith in God keeps them united to
overcome all the problems and challenges of life.
8. Flexibility, adaptability and creativity
- studies show that Filipinos often have an
aversion to a set of standardized rules or procedures;
they are known to follow a “natural clock” or organic
sense of time- doing things in the time they feel is right.
They are present-oriented; which means that one
attends to a task or requirement at the time it is needed
and does not worry much about future engagement.
9. Kagandahang-loob
- is literally translated as “beauty-of-will” and is
synonymous with another term kabutihang-loob or
“goodness-of-will”. According to Virgilio Enriquez.
10. Joy and Humor
- this famous trait is the ability of Filipinos to
find humor in everything. It sheds light on the optimism
and positivity of Filipinos in whatever situation they are
in so as to remain determined in going through
struggles of challenges. It serves as a coping technique,
the same way a child who has fallen laughs at
him/herself to hide his/her embarrassment.
NEGATIVE TRAITS/WEAKNESSES
1. Fatalism/come what may
- this is also synonymous to the phrase “Que
sera sera” (Whatever will be, will be), or “Hakuna
Matata” (No worries). It leaves everything to chance or
just let the circumstances take care of themselves,
embracing luck over good reason.
When the Filipinos ways “Bahala na”, several things are
implied:
a. He does not know of that point how things will turn
out
b. He classifies responsibility nonetheless to try and
do something to influence events.
c. He assumes such responsibility, knowing well that
the case looks hopeless and,
d. He hopes that luck will help when other things fail.
2. “Ningas Kugon”
- “kugon” is a kind of grass that burns easily
when dry but extinguished easily as well. Like the cogon
grass, Filipinos start things with great enthusiasm but at
the first sign of difficulty, the enthusiasm is consumed
as fast as it has ignited.
3. Colonial Mentality
- Filipinos prefer foreign-made products instead
of patronizing Philippine-made ones. This result to
higher gains for foreign businessmen than local
businessmen. Thus, it motivates Filipino businessmen to
improve the quality of their products to make it more
competitive against foreign ones.
4. “Mamaya Na” or “Bukas Na Lang” Habit
- a poor habit, a sign of laziness, of leaving for a
later time what can be done at the moment or today.
Thus, resulting to stacked workload to be done and then
complain about it.
5. Crab Mentality
- a troublesome trait evident in a Filipino where
when one sees the progress of a comrade, the other
becomes resentful rather than to praise, he would
highlight everything negative about that person to bring
him down or destroy his reputation. They would focus
on their own faults rather their own inadequacies.
6. Patigasan
- most Filipinos find it hard to say, “I’m sorry” or
“pasensya na”. Their precious pride always gets the best
of them.
7. “Kanya kanya”
- a trait which shows self-centeredness and lack
of regard for others. There are Filipinos who give
priority to what they and their families could have,
rather than what they can do to share their wealth and
serve others better. This trait shows poor signs of
patriotism, loyalty to community, concerns for the
needs of others.
8. “Fatalism”
- an attitude of “what goes around, comes
around” or “come what may”. We have a tendency to
surrender our future to fate. We often accept bad news
or circumstances without trying to stop or change them.
9. Lack of discipline
- manifests in casual and relaxed attitude
towards time and space.
10. Kanya-kanya syndrome
- Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude, a
feeling of envy and competitiveness toward others.
PASSIVITY (submission to others or to outside
influences)
1. Indebtedness “utang na loob”
- Filipinos are fond of asking for personal favors
from others. It is ingrained for them to acknowledge the
person who had helped them in times of need. This is a
good act but if forced to repay with something bad to
show gratitude then it becomes a problem. “Utang na
loob” must not be paid with unlawful acts.
2. Interpersonal Relationships “Pakikisama”
- every person wants to belong to a group where
they can share ideas, jokes and feelings but sometimes it
becomes a negative thing when the group is the one that
influences the person to do unlawful or foolish things in
order to belong or to gain approval. This is usually evident
in the Filipino youth where peer pressure challenges
someone’s morality.
3. Lack of Self-confidence “Hiya”
- the Filipinos are shy to boast their achievements
because they might be regarded as show-offs. They prefer
to just hide those achievements and call the idea “being
humble”. This is actually a sign of lack of self-confidence.
These characteristics are a challenge for every Filipino. In order to attain
development and progress, they must value and prioritize their strengths
rather than hide under the clutches of their weaknesses. Embracing the
strengths and conquering their weaknesses will truly help the Filipino nation
go forward in attaining its plans and aspirations for a richer and more fun
Philippines where most foreign countries will be jealous of.